2001 SE4 AI Challenge
 

The deal: To see who can script the baddest and most destructive AI for SE4 in the universe.

The rules:

1. <LI>All submissions are due by March 30, 2001. That gives you about a month.
   <LI>All scripts must be error free with the most recently available patch from Malfador Machinations (as of March 30). All scripts which generate errors will be disqualified. That means watch your spelling.
   <LI>Scripts may or may not come with their own race style. It's up to you.

The judging: after the March 30th deadline all AI's will be placed in a game with a human moderator and generated 'til there's one AI left standing or there's a reasonable stalemate.

The prize: There will be the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place winners of the free-for-all and two honorable mentions for the highest technical merit and orginality/creativity. The only true prize is recognition and a damn good script.

Send all submissions to: kmusa047@uwsp.edu
Now accepting applications for judges as well. There are 5 openings.

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-Km :þ

Re: 2001 SE4 AI Challenge
 

Forgot the url:

students.uwsp.edu/kmusa047/

Re: 2001 SE4 AI Challenge
 

What if a patch is released on the 30th that breaks everyone's scripts? http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

Re: 2001 SE4 AI Challenge
 

Great idea!

Re: 2001 SE4 AI Challenge
 

I'm hoping that won't happen.

Re: 2001 SE4 AI Challenge
 

maybe the rules should be changed to state the latest patch as of march 15 or so. also, perhaps judging should include several games, maybe one in each quadrant type. or maybe all midlife and one or two in each quadrant size. or perhaps all midlife / medium with one game per racial point value to balance how people spend their AIs extra racial points. The rules could definitly be added to here.

also, the game type should be clearly defined for things like warp point connections, quad type, starting levels, etc etc. further, the game should be run with all the races set to human controll but with full ministers enabled. that will make sure that the game does not end when the one player is destroyed, and it will permit the full 20 contestants. how will you pick? first 20 in, or have elimination rounds? maybe 5 races per game in a small spiral and play a series of matched elimination games where the winners advance, where the winners are either the Last two races in the game or maybe the Last one race and the race that had the next highest score when it died. or maybe the two races with the highest score at turn 100 or 200..

this sounds like a really cool idea. I think i will give it a go if it evolves a bit.

Re: 2001 SE4 AI Challenge
 

Great idea! We have been unofficially doing this with our AI Mod Pack for awhile (we are always comparing and checking our AI races against each other). I agree with Puke about the game parameters to some extent - but it is a double-edged sword. One of the larger problems which all of us who have created AI scripts face is testing the script under different start conditions - the number of different types really can blow your mind if analyze the different combinations (i.e. several of my earlier scripting attempts for the Darlok fell flat when started in a tech3 game or different type of galaxy). I assume the goal is to generate several more AI scripts which can be included in single-player games in the future. To this end, I would propose that the parameters be kept secret. This will force all of the AI modders to make their script as durable and flexible as possible and in then end, we will have a good variety of AI race scripts that are usable under all starting circumstances.

Re: 2001 SE4 AI Challenge
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Tampa_Gamer:
To this end, I would propose that the parameters be kept secret. This will force all of the AI modders to make their script as durable and flexible as possible and in then end, we will have a good variety of AI race scripts that are usable under all starting circumstances.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I will second that. I am still in favour of either multiple trials or an elimination system.

Re: 2001 SE4 AI Challenge
 

rule adjustment: the free-for-all will be a 5000 racial point game, so tailor your AIs to that. Because of this an .emp file is also required. I'm also dropping the restriction on the number of judges.


How judging works:

Each judge will recieve a copy of each submission and test it as they see fit. They are given full discretion.
Each judge will also recieve a feedback form asking different questions about how well the AI performed in different areas which they will then turn in after a short judging period is over.
Al the AIs are then plugged into the free-for-all to determine the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. If there are more than 19 submissions, they will be played out in several games ladder-style.
The technical and originality awards are determined by the judges.

Expect a dedicated web site soon.

Re: 2001 SE4 AI Challenge
 

Why not a 2000 pt game or both atleast?

Re: 2001 SE4 AI Challenge
 

because, out of the other point levels, it allows the AI's creator more race options.

Re: 2001 SE4 AI Challenge
 

i donno, i think it makes it more challenging to design a good race with less points. with less points, there will be more variety in races as people will have to pick their trade offs. then when the races are done, they will be more playable since most people on this forum, and that I have played with, run 2000 point games.

I wonder if TG is interested in this at all? it would give those guys that are analyzing and resource-computing every turn from every player in the current contest something to do. I would hate for them to have this empty void in their lives after the TG contest is done, maybe they could help judge this one, or do something in parallel.

Re: 2001 SE4 AI Challenge
 

Using 5000 points makes the races too powerful and too simular!!!

Re: 2001 SE4 AI Challenge
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>I wonder if TG is interested in this at all? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nyx said the next thing TG might do is a head-to-head human team vs. human team and/or single human vs. single human contest.
I would imagine it depends a great deal on the number of hits on their page so don't forget to visit their website. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif
http://www.twingalaxies.com

Re: 2001 SE4 AI Challenge
 

I'll try it with 5000 this time, and if it doesn't work that well, I'll try something different. Or I could just keep the settings secret.

------------------
-Km :þ

Re: 2001 SE4 AI Challenge
 

it occurs to me, that an AI contest would be really easy to run. put all the AIs in a multiplayer simultanious game, set them to human control, set the game to autosave every X turns. then use the command line mode on the executable to auto compile turns and let it run 50 times. check status, go 50 more. if you want to have it judged, give the judges access to the autosave points so they can check out the behavior at various points.

This is so quick, we could have a monthly AI trial or something.

Re: 2001 SE4 AI Challenge
 

Puke; How would you like to help me administer the AI scripting thing?

Re: 2001 SE4 AI Challenge
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Urendi Maleldil:
Puke; How would you like to help me administer the AI scripting thing?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

um, sure, but I cant find my CD and I accidently installed the "A" Version of the patch. can someone please send me the .exe so I can fix my game?

Just email it to foo@bar.com, because I moved and I cant have MM reship it to my old address.

BUWAHAHAHAHA-MOUWAHAHAHHAHA
hehhehehe..Tee-hee-heee

*snif*

wow, I shouldn't do that to myself, it hurts.

Re: 2001 SE4 AI Challenge
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Urendi Maleldil:
Puke; How would you like to help me administer the AI scripting thing?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

oh yeah, i had a serious answer too. I would be happy to through together a script or batch file or something, or put together a procedure with you. I am not going to have time to actually go through and look at how the AI plays to evaluate its performance though. You have a really cool idea here which will benifit both modders and the player community, which is why i have expressed so much interest. alas, work prevents me from donating much time for you, but I would be happy to help you get started if you need a hand.

Re: 2001 SE4 AI Challenge
 

Email me then. I'd like to get some of your ideas. kmusa047@uwsp.edu